Antique Textile Fair Part 3: Quilt

This is my last post about the Antique Textile fair that I went to in early March. The most expensive item I bought was a quilt and I did have a bit of a should I shouldn't I moment about whether to buy it or not. In some way it's not the most prettiest of quilts, it is quite plain but there is just something about it that I really like. It is Kantha quilted so is covered in small colourful stitches, it also has lovely little random patches of patterned fabrics. Apologies again for the amount of photographs, and this is just a few, again it was something that looked good from different angles.

I think this quilt has a real story to tell but I don't know what it is, perhaps I will make one up for it.

Inspiration

Just a few artists that I have found inspiring recently.

Marti Somers, beautiful mixed media paintings exploring the fragility of nature, see her most recent exhibition here

Nicholas Wilton  multi layered paintings in oil and mixed media, he also writes a blog which I found really interesting to read and his method of working is fascinating, constantly painting and then sanding back to reveal the layers underneath.

Ceramicist Elke Sada  has a very painterly style and a fabulous use of colour, each object looks like a mini abstract painting.

First Blossom

My first photographs of blossom this year were taken last week on an extremely sunny day, it is a tree that I see every day from my bedroom window. I think it has flowered a little earlier than usual, but I might be wrong.  Last year I first photographed blossom in April but that was a dark pink variety which isn't in flower yet.

Antique Textile Fair: Part 2 Indian Bag

My second post about the Antique Textile Fair is dedicated to an Indian Bag. I love all the colours and patterns on this bag, also the lovely aged bits were the stitching is coming apart. Apologies for the amount of photographs it just looked good from so many different angles.

The inside of the bag is just as beautiful showing the reverse of the stitching.

It has these lovely tassels made of scraps of torn fabric.

And appliquéd bits of old saris, and worn stitching.

Antique Textile Fair: Part 1

Last Sunday I visited the Antique Textile fair in Manchester which is run by The Textile Society. It is always a really good fair with a good range of textiles, and there are some bargains to had if you go searching. I picked up a few things to add to my collection. I am splitting these images into a few posts because I have got quite a few to share, the first part is mainly English and French, cheap bundles of worn fabrics. I don't think I will be doing anything with them other than using them for inspiration, although I thought maybe I could possibly make a quilt out of them but I would have to do a lot of patching !!

Distractions

Quite a few distractions lately but mainly this one, 13 weeks and so beautiful.